Fluid utilization facility management method and fluid utilization facility management system

ABSTRACT

A method for optimizing a fluid utilization facility. The method includes monitoring an operating state of a fluid utilization device and an operating state of a drain trap in a fluid utilization facility based on detection information obtained by detectors installed in various places in the fluid utilization facility. A running state of the fluid utilization facility is optimized based on a monitoring result.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/316,395, filed Dec. 5, 2016, which is the United States nationalphase of International Application No. PCT/JP2015/064921 filed May 25,2015, and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2014-117582, filed Jun. 6, 2014, the disclosures of all of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fluid utilization facility managementmethod for optimizing a running state of a fluid utilization facility,and a fluid utilization facility management system for implementing thisfluid utilization facility management method.

BACKGROUND ART

As industrial plants, fluid utilization facilities that run or performproduction using fluids such as steam and gas other than steam (air orvarious gas fuels including propane gas and methane gas) are common andin wide use. For example, in a steam utilization facility, which is akind of such fluid utilization facility, drain water, which is acondensate, is produced from steam as a result of running the steamutilization facility. Therefore, in order to remove this drain waterfrom steam pipes, a large number of steam traps are arranged in adispersed manner on the steam pipes in the steam utilization facility.If an abnormality occurs in these steam traps as in the case where steamleaks or drain water is not appropriately discharged, energy lossoccurs, and moreover, the running efficiency in the steam utilizationfacility decreases, resulting in considerable losses. For this reason,in order to manage the steam utilization facility, the state of steamtraps that are arranged in a dispersed manner on the steam pipes in thesteam utilization facility is monitored.

Conventionally, as a method for monitoring individual steam traps in thesteam utilization facility, a method has been proposed in which steamtrap monitoring devices that transmit data detected by a sensor to acomputer are installed on respective steam traps, the data on theindividual steam traps is collected into the computer from these steamtrap monitoring devices, and the data is analyzed using the computer tomonitor the state of the individual steam traps (e.g. see PatentDocument 1).

Note that the above situation is not limited to steam utilizationfacilities but is common to fluid utilization facilities across theboard, and the above conventional method is applicable to general fluidutilization facilities. In this case, the terms may be replaced withother appropriate terms. For example, “steam” may be replaced withvarious “fluids”, and “steam trap” may be replaced with “drain trap”.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 7,912,675B

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

For example, considering the above conventional method with regard tosteam utilization facilities, the above conventional method is merelyfor monitoring the state of individual steam traps regarding, forexample, whether the operation of the individual steam traps is normal,or regarding prediction of the timing of failure, and is insufficient interms of optimization of the running state of the steam utilizationfacility.

Here is a detailed description. First, “optimization” mentioned heremeans, for example, a state where a steam system in the steamutilization facility is appropriate for the running of a target steamutilization facility regarding various points in that the models of thedevices that constitute a steam system, such as steam utilizationdevices and steam traps, suits the running of the steam utilizationfacility and the operating states of those devices are normal, thelayout of pipes for transporting the steam is appropriate, steam-savingis sufficiently achieved, CO₂ reduction is also achieved as a result ofsteam-saving, and drain water is appropriately discharged. For example,in a state where the steam system is appropriate, i.e. in an optimizedstate of the running state of a steam utilization facility, a stateconforming to the rules and principles of steam utilization is achieved,where (1) drain water generated in a steam system is dischargedappropriately and promptly, (2) steam does not leak from the steamsystem, and (3) the steam system is always filled with steam.

In a steam utilization facility, steam generated by a boiler istransported through a steam pipe, and is collected after being used insteam utilization devices. In order to efficiently use the steam, in thesteam utilization facility, the steam is used in a plurality of steamutilization devices after being generated, until it is collected, andthe collected drain water is reused in the form of so-called flash steamdue to re-evaporation, for example. Thus, the steam use status in thesteam utilization facility is complex.

Because of such a complex steam use status, the system of the steampipes and the drain water pipes in the steam utilization facility isalso complex, and there are many kinds of applications and many modelsof the steam traps arranged on the steam pipes. Therefore, the steamsystem in the steam utilization facility is complex and becomes lesscomprehensive. As a result, it is difficult to precisely evaluate thesteam system, and the steam utilization facility is run while it is notsufficiently examined as to whether the current steam system is in anoptimal state in the steam utilization facility (i.e. whether theabove-listed points for the optimization are satisfied).

In the above current situation, it is unclear whether the running stateof the steam utilization facility is optimized, and there is apossibility that the steam utilization facility is being run while somekind of fundamental problem exists in the steam system. Then, forexample, if the steam system has a problem in drainage, a load isapplied to the steam utilization devices, and the running efficiency inthe steam utilization facility decreases and energy loss occurs. Ifsteam-saving is not sufficiently achieved in the steam system, it leadsto an increase in costs and increases the amount of steam to beprocessed, and then, a failure is more likely to occur in devices suchas the steam traps. Thus, various problems are derived from thefundamental problem in the steam system.

Even if the state of the individual steam traps is monitored with theaforementioned conventional steam trap monitoring method, and repair andreplacement are sequentially performed every time an abnormality isdetected to keep the steam traps in the steam utilization facility in asound state, this means that the problem of failure in the steam trapsthat is a problem deriving from the fundamental problem is solved, whichis only a quick-fix measure. The fundamental problem in the steam systemin the steam utilization facility is not solved by this method. This isthe reason why the above conventional method is insufficient in terms ofcomprehensive management of the steam utilization facility.

Specific exemplary problems that occur because the running state of thesteam utilization facility is not optimized are listed below.

(1) As an exemplary case where the steam system has a problem indrainage, it is conceivable that steam traps of an optimum model that isoptimal for the characteristics of locations (Condensate DischargeLocation: CDL (registered trademark)) at which drain water is to bedischarged appropriately and promptly from the steam system are notselected. For example, the case where temperature adjustment traps,which are steam traps of one model that adjust the temperature byretaining the drain water, are used in the steam utilization devices ormain steam pipes where drain water is not to be retained applies to thisexample.

(2) As another exemplary case where the steam system has a problem indrainage, steam trap failures are conceivable. Steam trap failures areroughly divided into two types, namely a clogging failure and a leakagefailure. The clogging failure refers to a failure in which a steam trapis clogged and drain water is not smoothly discharged, and has the riskof causing a critical problem in the steam utilization devices and thesteam system. The leakage failure refers to a failure in which, althoughthe steam traps are required, as is their original function, todischarge only drain water while inhibiting outflow of the steam, thesteam flows out beyond the allowable limit, which may result in steamloss. These failures will lead to significant economic loss, as well asto the degradation of the safety and reliability of the plant due to theoccurrence of water hammer or the like, and furthermore to environmentalissues such as an increase in CO₂ emission.

(3) If a steam trap fails, it needs to be promptly replaced with a steamtrap of an optimum type. However, if a cut-off valve is not installed onthe upstream side of the steam trap or if the installation location ofthe cut-off valve is unknown, the failed trap cannot be replaced becausethe inflow of the steam to the failed trap cannot be stopped, and therisk that accompanies the clogging failure and the leakage failurecannot be immediately solved in some cases.

(4) This is often the case where dangerous and non-economic operation isstill performed in which copper pipe steam tracers that are attached toan important instrument and a product which has a risk of causingfluidity failure if its temperature decreases are not managed as itemsin the steam system (i.e. the copper pipe steam tracers are not includedin management items in the steam system that is systematically managed),it is determined everyday by touch whether a clogging failure is likelyto occur in a steam trap mounted on each copper pipe steam tracer, andif it is suspected that the temperature is decreasing, a joint isloosened to intentionally let out the steam.

(5) There are a few cases where steam utilization devices that directlyrelate to production in a steam plant, such as a steam turbine, areaction tank, a reboiler, and various kinds of heat exchangers, aremanaged in a state where the aforementioned rules and principles insteam utilization are met, i.e. drain water generated in the steamsystem is appropriately and promptly discharged. For this reason, thesteam utilization devices are run while there is a failure in drainage,and an administrator finds the failure only after an alarm rings basedon an index that is managed by a DCS (Distributed Control System).

(6) If the steam traps are not appropriately managed, the risk of steamleaking from the steam traps increases. The amount of steam that maypossibly be lost due to the steam leakage due to inappropriatemanagement of the steam traps increases in proportion to the number ofsteam traps. Furthermore, steam leaking to the outside of the steamsystem is not only a leakage from the steam traps, but the steam mayalso leak from various valves and joints, the number of which is largerthan that of the steam traps, and the amount of steam leaking from thevalves and joints may not be negligible.

Thus, in the field of industrial plants in the current situation, theinside of the steam system is not visualized at all, and it can be saidthat whether the steam system is in an optimal state is unknown (i.e. ina state of having become less comprehensive). However, for example, ifit is possible to visualize that all drain water discharge locations areoptimized (i.e. the steam traps are in a normal state without cloggingor leakage), the steam utilization facilities including the steam tracerare optimized, and the balance between heat and electric power is alsooptimized, the steam system will be no longer incomprehensible, and itis possible to consider the overall steam system to be an importantasset and to manage the overall steam system (asset management).

Note that, in this specification, the term “asset management” may beused to mean that human errors can be reduced by performing managementwhile making clear the allowable usage range of each device in asituation where the percentage of human errors will further increasefrom now on in safe and stable operations of industrial plants.Accordingly, it can be said that the asset management in the steamsystem is a concept in which the steam system, which includes the steamtraps, the steam pipes, various valves, and the like, are more widelyconsidered to be an asset while giving consideration to the possibilityof an incident regarding important devices that constitute an industrialplant caused due to selection of the steam traps (e.g. the case where atemperature adjustment trap is installed as a main pipe), inappropriateattachment of the steam traps, ignoring a steam trap failure, or thelike.

Note that the above problem is not limited to the steam utilizationfacilities but is common to general fluid utilization facilities, andthe terms may be replaced with other appropriate terms. For example,“steam” may be replaced with various “fluids”, and “steam trap” may bereplaced with “drain trap”.

In view of the foregoing situation, the present invention mainly aims toprovide a fluid utilization facility management method by which therunning state of a fluid utilization facility can be optimized, and afluid utilization facility management system used for this method.

Mechanism for Solving Problem

A fluid utilization facility management method according to the presentdisclosure includes: monitoring an operating state of a fluidutilization device and an operating state of a drain trap in a fluidutilization facility based on detection information from detectorsinstalled in various places in the fluid utilization facility; andoptimizing a running state of the fluid utilization facility based onthis monitoring result.

Here is a description of a steam utilization facility that is a kind offluid utilization facility. In order to optimize the running state of asteam utilization facility, first, it is necessary to clearly ascertain(i.e. visualize) the state of a steam system in the steam utilizationfacility, and make problems existing in the steam system clear. Inparticular, regarding problems existing in the steam system, problemsrelating to the aforementioned optimization points such as thesuitability of the models of steam utilization devices (a kind of fluidutilization device) and steam traps (a kind of drain trap), a pipinglayout, steam-saving, and drainage are unlikely to surface when thesteam utilization facility is under construction, and become clear byvisualizing the state of steam system after actually starting to run thesteam utilization facility.

For the visualization of the state of steam system, the operating statesof the steam utilization devices and the steam traps in the steamutilization facility are important. In the steam utilization devices,the state of steam changes due to the steam being used. In the steamtraps in the steam utilization facility, the state of steam changes dueto drain water in the steam pipes being collected or the steam leakingdue to a failure, for example. That is to say, the steam utilizationdevices and the steam traps in the steam utilization facility arelocations where the state of steam changes. If the steam system is in anoptimal state, at least the operating states at the locations where thestate of steam changes are appropriate, and the change in the state ofsteam at these locations is ideal. In other words, it is possible tovisualize whether the steam system is in an optimal state through theoperating states at the locations where the state of steam changes.

For this reason, in the above configuration, the operating states of thesteam utilization devices and the operating states of the steam traps,i.e. the operating states at the locations where the state of steamchanges are monitored using detectors installed in various places in thesteam utilization facility. With the above configuration, it is possibleto visualize whether the state of the steam system is optimal based onthe monitoring result. By visualizing the steam system, problemsexisting in the steam system can be made clear, and points to beimproved can be made clear. Therefore, the operating state of the steamutilization facility can be optimized.

Such optimization of the running state of the steam utilization facilitycan contribute to the greatest possible reduction in drainage failure,steam loss, and CO₂ emission in the steam system, and construction of amechanism of asset management for a steam system in an industrial plantthat can increase the safety, reliability, and economy of the overallsteam system. That is to say, it is possible to consider the overallsteam system as one important asset, optimize the steam system inaccordance with the rules and principles of steam utilization ((1) drainwater generated in a steam system is appropriately and promptlydischarged, (2) steam does not leak from the steam system, and (3) theinside of the steam system is always filled with steam), and provide amechanism for maintaining the same.

The above effect is achieved not only in a steam utilization facility,and the above effect can also be achieved in general fluid utilizationfacilities by applying the fluid utilization facility management methodhaving the configuration according to the first feature to the generalfluid utilization facilities. In this case, the terms may be replacedwith other appropriate terms. For example, “steam” may be replaced withvarious “fluids”, and “steam trap” may be replaced with “drain trap”.

The following is a description of a preferable mode of the fluidutilization facility management method according to the presentdisclosure. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limitedby the examples of the following preferable modes.

In an aspect, it is preferable to calculate an energy balance in thefluid utilization facility, and optimize the running state of the fluidutilization facility based on this energy balance calculation result andthe monitoring result.

Here is a description of the steam utilization facility that is a kindof fluid utilization facility. The method having the configurationaccording to the first feature is for achieving visualization atspecific locations in the steam system, i.e. in terms of hardware.Meanwhile, in the above configuration, the visualization of the overallsteam system is also achieved in terms of energy, i.e. software, bycalculating the energy balance in the steam utilization facility. As aresult, for example, if the result of monitoring the steam utilizationdevice and the steam trap that are hardware indicates that the runningstate of the steam utilization facility is in a normal range but asufficient result cannot be obtained in the calculation of the energybalance that is software, it suggests that there may be some problem inthe model or arrangement of the steam utilization device or the steamtrap, or in the piping layout. Also, points to be improved for achievingideal energy balance that is obtained from the result of the calculationof the energy balance that is software can be made clear by usingspecific information regarding details of the steam utilization facilitythat is the result of the monitoring of the steam utilization device andthe steam trap that is hardware. Thus, by complementarily determiningthe running state of the steam utilization facility in terms of bothhardware and software, the problem and the points to be improved in thesteam system can be made clearer, and the operating state of the steamutilization facility can be effectively optimized.

The above effect is achieved not only in a steam utilization facility,and the above effect can also be achieved in general fluid utilizationfacilities by applying the above fluid utilization facility managementmethod to the general fluid utilization facilities. In this case, theterms may be replaced with other appropriate terms. For example, “steam”may be replaced with various “fluids”, and “steam trap” may be replacedwith “drain trap”.

In an aspect, it is preferable to make a trial calculation of aneconomic effect or an environmental effect achieved in a case ofoptimizing the running state of the fluid utilization facility from acurrent state.

That is to say, the aforementioned methods are for achieving thevisualization in terms of the operating state of the device and forachieving the visualization also from the aspect of energy balance, andit is difficult with either method to ascertain the advantages anddisadvantages or the value of optimization at a glance. Meanwhile, withthe above configuration, the visualization of the steam system isachieved in the form of the economic effect or the environmental effectsuch that the advantages and disadvantages and the value of theoptimization can be easily ascertained. Therefore, the running state ofthe fluid utilization facility can be more effectively optimized.

In an aspect, it is preferable that the fluid utilization facility is asteam utilization facility that uses steam as a fluid, and the energybalance includes a steam balance calculated based on a steam use statusof the steam utilization facility.

That is to say, with the above configuration, in the steam utilizationfacility that is a kind of fluid utilization facility, the calculatedenergy balance includes the steam balance that is based on the steam usestatus (i.e. the balance regarding the location where the steam isgenerated and the amount of generated steam, and the location where thesteam is used and the amount of used steam in the steam utilizationfacility). Therefore, for example, it is possible to ascertain therunning status of the steam utilization facility from the viewpoint ofsteam-saving (and furthermore, the viewpoint of a reduction in CO₂emission as a result thereof), such as in terms of the amount of steamloss existing in the steam system in the steam utilization facility, anda method for reducing the loss, and the amount of reducible loss withthis method. Thus, the running state of the steam utilization facilitycan be more effectively optimized.

In an aspect, it is preferable that the fluid utilization facility is asteam utilization facility that uses steam as a fluid, a steamutilization device that is the fluid utilization device in the steamutilization facility includes a generator that generates electric powerusing steam, and the energy balance includes a balance between heat andelectric power calculated based on a total amount of generated steam andan amount of electric power generated by the generator in the steamutilization facility.

That is to say, with the above configuration, in a steam utilizationfacility that is a kind of fluid utilization facility and runs usingself-generated electric power, the calculated energy balance includesthe balance between heat and electric power (i.e. the balance of theamount of steam (heat) used for electric power generation out of thetotal amount of generated steam). Therefore, for example, the runningstatus of the steam utilization facility can be ascertained from theoptimal balance between heat and electric power in the steam utilizationfacility obtained while giving consideration to a change in the costrequired for steam generation due to a change in the unit cost of fuelor the like, and a change in the electric energy and the price topurchase power. Thus, the running state of the steam utilizationfacility can be more effectively optimized.

In an aspect, it is preferable that the fluid utilization facility is asteam utilization facility that uses steam as a fluid, a steamutilization device that is the fluid utilization device in the steamutilization facility includes a fuel device that refines fuel that isalso used for steam generation, and the energy balance includes a fuelbalance calculated based on an amount of fuel refined by the fuel deviceand an amount of fuel used for steam generation.

That is to say, with the above configuration, in a steam utilizationfacility that is a kind of fluid utilization facility, such as apetrochemical plant, and uses, for steam generation, a part of fuelwhich is in a shippable state as a product, the calculated energybalance includes the fuel balance (i.e. the balance between the amountof generated fuel that is used for running the steam utilizationfacility and the amount that is shipped). Therefore, for example, therunning status of the steam utilization facility can be ascertained fromthe balance between the shipping amount and the sales of fuel withrespect to the running status, such as the steam use status, of thesteam utilization facility. Thus, the running state of the steamutilization facility can be more effectively optimized.

In particular, by combining this method with a method in which the steambalance is included in the energy balance, it is possible tosimultaneously ascertain the steam-saving effect in the steamutilization facility and the effect of an increase in the shippingamount and the sales of fuel due to a reduction in the amount of fuelused for steam generation as a result of the steam-saving. Thus, therunning state of the steam utilization facility can be more effectivelyoptimized.

In an aspect, it is preferable that an energy balance calculation resultincludes comparison information regarding a comparison between thecalculated energy balance and a past energy balance or a referenceenergy balance.

That is to say, with the above configuration, it is possible toascertain the degree by which the calculated energy balance is better orworse than the past or reference energy balance. Thus, the running stateof the fluid utilization facility can be more effectively optimized.

In an aspect, it is preferable that an operating state of a valve ismonitored in addition to the operating state of the fluid utilizationdevice and the operating state of the drain trap, and the monitoringresult includes the operating state of the valve.

Here is a description of a steam utilization facility that is a kind offluid utilization facility. In the steam utilization facility, a valveis for controlling, by being operated, the inflow and the flow rate ofsteam to the steam utilization device and the steam trap, and closelyrelates to the operating states of the steam utilization device and thesteam trap. Since the valve is also a location where steam iscontrolled, the state of the steam may change at this location.Furthermore, the valve is also arranged on a drain pipe for dischargingdrain water generated in the steam utilization facility, and is also forcontrolling the flow of the drain water. That is to say, with the aboveconfiguration, the operating state of the valve that closely relates tothe operating states of the steam utilization device and the steam trapand the discharge of the drain water and is a location where the stateof the steam may change is monitored, and the operating state of thevalve is included in the monitoring result. Therefore, the steam systemcan be more specifically visualized. For example, the operating state ofthe steam utilization device and the operating state of the steam trapcan be more specifically ascertained. Thus, the running state of thesteam utilization facility can be more effectively optimized.

The above effect is achieved not only in a steam utilization facility,but can also be achieved in general fluid utilization facilities byapplying this fluid utilization facility management method to thegeneral fluid utilization facilities. In this case, the terms may bereplaced with other appropriate terms. For example, “steam” may bereplaced with various “fluids”, and “steam trap” may be replaced with“drain trap”.

In an aspect, it is preferable to create a drain water dischargedatabase including a piping layout of pipes on which the drain trap andthe valve are arranged, and models and the operating states of the draintrap and the valve, wherein the monitoring result includes informationin the drain water discharge database.

Here is a description of a steam utilization facility that is a kind offluid utilization facility. Regarding the steam utilization facility, asmentioned above, one of the points for optimizing the running state ofthe steam utilization facility is that drain water is appropriatelydischarged. The discharge of drain water closely relates to not only asteam trap that collects drain water but also a valve that controls theinflow and the flow rate of steam to this steam trap and a valve that isarranged on the drain pipe and controls the flow of the drain water.Furthermore, for smooth and efficient discharge of drain water,information whether the piping layout of the pipes on which the steamtrap and the valve are arranged is appropriate is essential. With theabove configuration, the drain water discharge database including thepiping layout of the pipes on which the steam trap and the valveassociated with collection and discharge of drain water are arranged andinformation regarding drain water discharge such as the models and theoperating states of the steam trap and the valve are included in themonitoring result. Therefore, the steam system can be visualized interms of collection and discharge of drain water, and thus, the runningstate of the steam utilization facility can be more effectivelyoptimized particularly from the viewpoint of smooth and efficientcollection and discharge of drain water.

The above effect is achieved not only in a steam utilization facility,but can also be achieved in fluid utilization facilities across theboard by applying this fluid utilization facility management method tothe general fluid utilization facilities. In this case, the terms may bereplaced with other appropriate terms. For example, “steam” may bereplaced with various “fluids”, and “steam trap” may be replaced with“drain trap”.

In an aspect, it is preferable to update the drain water dischargedatabase based on the monitoring result, wherein the monitoring resultincludes information in the updated drain water discharge database.

That is to say, with the above configuration, the running state of thefluid utilization facility can be more effectively optimized based onthe monitoring result that includes the information in the latest drainwater discharge database in the fluid utilization facility.

A fluid utilization facility management system for implementing theabove fluid utilization facility management method according to thepresent disclosure includes: detectors arranged in various places in thefluid utilization facility; and a management means that includes amonitoring unit for monitoring the operating state of the fluidutilization device and the operating state of the drain trap in thefluid utilization facility based on the detection information, and asimulation unit for simulating the energy balance in the fluidutilization facility.

That is to say, with the above configuration, the above fluidutilization facility management method can be preferably implemented,and thus, the aforementioned effects achieved by the above fluidutilization facility management method can be effectively achieved.

The following is a description of a preferable mode of the fluidutilization facility management system according to the presentdisclosure. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limitedby the examples of the following exemplary preferable modes.

In an aspect, it is preferable that the monitoring unit monitors anoperating state of a valve in addition to the operating state of thefluid utilization device and the operating state of the drain trap.

In an aspect, it is preferable that the management means includes astorage unit that stores a drain water discharge database including apiping layout of fluid pipes on which the drain trap and the valve arearranged, a model of the drain trap, and the operating states of thedrain trap and the valve.

In an aspect, it is preferable that the monitoring unit the monitoringunit updates the drain water discharge database based on the monitoringresult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of optimization of a running state of asteam utilization facility according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a steampiping system in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a steam trap and valves in the steamutilization facility.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a fuelpiping system in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the periphery of a firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the periphery of a middle-pressureturbine in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a management mean in a steamutilization facility management system.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram of an output image of graphinformation regarding steam generation costs.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative diagram of an output image of the steam pipingsystem in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative diagram of an output image of the fuel pipingsystem in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram of an output image of the peripheryof the first middle/high-pressure turbine in the steam utilizationfacility.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative diagram of an output image of the peripheryof the middle-pressure turbine in the steam utilization facility.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative diagram of an output image at drain waterdischarge locations.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative diagram of an output image in whichimprovement ideas are listed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the outline of a method for optimizing a running state of asteam utilization facility (Steam Application: SA), which is a kind offluid utilization facility that uses a fluid utilization facilitymanagement system according to the present disclosure. A steamutilization facility 1 that optimizes the running state is mainlyconstituted by steam utilization devices (a kind of fluid utilizationdevice) 2, steam traps 3 (a kind of drain trap), valves 4, steam pipes5, and sub-devices 6 (devices that operate in association with operationof the steam utilization devices 2, devices that assist the operation ofthe steam utilization devices 2, etc.). A fluid utilization facilitymanagement system according to the present disclosure is mainlyconstituted by detectors D that are arranged in various places in thesteam utilization facility 1 including the steam utilization devices 2,the steam traps 3, the valves 4, the steam pipes 5, the sub-devices 6,and other places that are not shown in the diagram, and a managementmeans S that includes a data input unit S1 that acquires detectioninformation transmitted from the detectors D, a simulation unit S2 thatsimulates energy balance in the steam utilization facility 1 based onthe acquired detection information, and a monitoring unit S3 thatmonitors an operating state of the steam utilization devices 2 and anoperating state of the steam traps 3 in the steam utilization facility 1based on the acquired detection information.

The detectors D are configured to be able to transmit the detecteddetection information to the management means S, by means ofcommunication. In this steam utilization facility monitoring system, thedetection information regarding various places in the steam utilizationfacility 1 is transmitted to the management means S by the detectors D,and the information regarding the overall steam utilization facility 1is collectively managed by the management means S.

The management means S acquires, with the data input unit S1, thedetection information regarding various places in the steam utilizationfacility 1 transmitted from the detectors D. Based on the acquireddetection information regarding various places in the steam utilizationfacility 1, the simulation unit S2 calculates the current energy balancein the steam utilization facility 1 and generates energy balanceevaluation information Ia as a result of this calculation. Themonitoring unit S3 generates device evaluation information Ib regardingrunning efficiency and abnormal operation in the steam utilizationdevices 2 as a result of the monitoring of the operating states of thesteam utilization devices 2, and generates drain water dischargeevaluation information Ic regarding steam leakage and abnormality indrain water discharge at locations associated with drain water discharge(hereinafter referred to as drain water discharge locations), such asthe steam traps 3, as a result of monitoring the operating states of thesteam traps 3.

Here is a detailed description. The energy balance evaluationinformation Ia includes evaluation information regarding various kindsof energy balances, such as a steam balance based on the steam usestatus of the steam utilization facility 1 (i.e. a balance regarding thelocations where steam is generated and the amount of generated steam,and the locations where steam is used and the amount of used steam inthe steam utilization facility), a balance between heat and electricpower based on the total amount of generated steam and the amount ofelectric power generated by a generator in the steam utilizationfacility 1 (i.e. a balance regarding the amount of steam that is usedfor electric power generation in the total amount of generated steam) inthe case of having a generator that generates electric power usingsteam, and a fuel balance based on the amount of fuel refined in thesteam utilization facility 1 and the amount of fuel that is used forsteam generation in the steam utilization facility 1 (i.e. a balanceregarding the amounts of generated fuel that is used for running thesteam utilization facility and that is shipped) in the case of includinga fuel device that refines fuel. Thus, the steam system is visualized interms of various kinds of energy.

The monitoring of the operating states of the steam utilization devices2 by the monitoring unit S3 is based on not only the detectioninformation regarding the steam utilization device 2 to be monitored,but also the detection information regarding steam controllers thatcontrol the state of steam entering and exiting the target steamutilization device 2 (e.g. the steam traps 2 that collect drain watersuch as condensate water in steam, the valves 3 that control the flowingdirection and the flow rate of steam in the steam pipes etc.), thedetection information regarding the steam pipes 5 that are attached tothe target steam utilization device 2, and the detection informationregarding the sub-device 6 that is attached to the steam utilizationdevice 2. The operating states of the steam utilization devices 2 aremonitored based on various monitoring items for each piece of the abovedetection information or preset specific combinations thereof.

Thus, the operating states of the steam utilization devices 2 arecomprehensively monitored by the monitoring unit S3 based on not onlythe detection information regarding the steam utilization devices 2 butalso the information regarding every device associated with theoperation of these steam utilization devices 2. Based on a great amountof information, appropriateness or an abnormality in the operatingstates of the steam utilization devices 2 can be accurately observed.

In particular, with the detection information regarding the steamcontrollers, it can be estimated whether the steam entering and exitingthe steam utilization devices 2 is appropriate (in terms of thetemperature thereof, the amount of drain water etc.) and whether thesteam is appropriately passing through the steam utilization devices 2.Thus, it can be determined whether the steam utilization devices 2 canbe operated without any problem or there is no concern about theoccurrence of a malfunction if the steam utilization devices 2 continueto be operated as-is, and the appropriateness of the operating states ofthe steam utilization devices 2 including the possibility of theoccurrence of an abnormality in the future can be accurately evaluated.By observing an abnormality in a steam controller that occurs at a stageprior to the occurrence of a malfunction in the steam utilizationdevices 2, a sign of an abnormality in the steam utilization devices 2can be observed at an early stage.

As a result of such monitoring of the operating states of the steamutilization devices 2, the monitoring unit S3 generates the steam deviceevaluation information Ib, and visualizes the steam system in terms ofthe operating states of the steam utilization devices 2 that include asign of an abnormality in the steam utilization devices 2 and thepossibility of the occurrence of an abnormality in the future.

In the monitoring of the operating states of the steam traps 3 by themonitoring unit S3, the operating states of the valves 4 are alsomonitored based on the detection information when necessary, and thedrain water discharge evaluation information Ic is generated as a resultof the monitoring including the operating states of the valves 4.Furthermore, a drain water discharge database including the pipinglayout of the pipes 5 on which the steam traps 3 and the valves 4 arearranged and the information associated with drain water discharge suchas the models and the operating states of the steam traps 3 and thevalves 4 is created in advance. The monitoring unit S3 updates thisdrain water discharge database based on the acquired detectioninformation regarding various places in the steam utilization facility1, and includes the updated drain water discharge database in the drainwater discharge evaluation information Ic.

With this drain water discharge evaluation information Ic, the steamsystem is visualized in terms of drain water discharge including theoperating states of the steam traps 3.

The management means S visualizes the steam system from these threeviewpoints, namely the energy balance evaluation information Ia, thesteam device evaluation information Ib, and the drain water dischargeevaluation information Ic. An administrator in charge of the steamutilization facility P can make clear problems and points to be improvedin the steam system by complementarily determining the above evaluationinformation Ia to Ic, and optimize the running state of the steamutilization facility.

Note that the above fluid utilization facility management system isapplicable to general fluid utilization facilities. In this case, in theabove embodiment, the terms may be replaced with other appropriateterms. For example, “steam” may be replaced with various “fluids”, and“steam trap” may be replaced with “drain trap”.

Next, as a more specific example, an example in which this fluidutilization facility management system is applied to a steam utilizationfacility P that is a petrochemical plant will be described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a steampiping system in the steam utilization facility P. The steam pipingsystem in this steam utilization facility P is mainly constituted byfour steam pipes 10 to 13 for feeding steam of different pressures,steam generation devices Gs, and steam utilization devices Us. In thissteam utilization facility P, the steam generated by the steamgeneration devices Gs is supplied to the various steam utilizationdevices Us through the respective steam pipes 10 to 13 and is used forvarious kinds of applications.

Here is a detailed description of the steam pipes 10 to 13. The steampipe 10 is a high-pressure steam pipe that feeds high-pressure steam (inthis embodiment, 12000 kPa(G)). The steam pipe 11 is amiddle/high-pressure steam pipe that feeds middle/high-pressure steam(in this embodiment, 4000 kPa(G)). The steam pipe 12 is amiddle-pressure steam pipe that feeds middle-pressure steam (in thisembodiment, 1000 kPa(G)). The steam pipe 13 is a low-pressure steam pipethat feeds low-pressure steam (in this embodiment, 140 kPa(G)).

High-pressure steam is supplied to the high-pressure steam pipe 10 froma first boiler 14, which is a steam generation device Gs. The firstboiler 14 generates steam using both fuel gas and fuel A (e.g. oil orcoal). The ratio between the fuel gas and the fuel A used for steamgeneration by the first boiler 14 changes as appropriate in accordancewith the amount of generated steam, the running status of the steamutilization facility, and the like.

The high-pressure steam supplied to the high-pressure steam pipe 10 issupplied to a first turbine generator 15, which is a steam utilizationdevice Us that is connected to the high-pressure steam pipe 10, and isused therein. The high-pressure steam supplied from the high-pressuresteam pipe 10 to the first turbine generator 15 is subjected to pressurereduction into middle/high-pressure steam by being used for electricpower generation by the first turbine generator 15, and is thereaftersupplied to the middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11.

The high-pressure steam pipe 10 is also connected to a first pressurereduction supply path 16 that reduces the pressure of the high-pressuresteam in the high-pressure steam pipe 10 and suppliesmiddle/high-pressure steam to the middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11.Some of the steam in the high-pressure steam pipe 10 is supplied to themiddle/high-pressure steam pipe 11 as appropriate due to an open/closeoperation made to a control valve (not shown) that is mounted in thisfirst pressure reduction supply path 16.

Middle/high-pressure steam is supplied to the middle/high-pressure steampipe 11 from the first turbine generator 15, the first pressurereduction supply path 16, and a second boiler 17 and waste heat boilers18 to 21, which are steam generation devices Gs. The second boiler 17generates steam using fuel gas. The waste heat boilers 18 to 21 (andlater-described waste heat boilers 28 and 31) generate steam using wasteheat generated as a result of running the steam utilization facility P(e.g. running later-described combustion furnaces). That is to say, thewaste heat boilers 18 to 21 (and the later-described waste heat boilers28 and 31) substantially do not require fuel for steam generation.

The middle/high-pressure steam supplied to the middle/high-pressuresteam pipe 11 is supplied to a second turbine generator 22, a firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23, a second middle/high-pressure turbine24, a third middle/high-pressure turbine 25, and a heat exchanger 26,which are steam utilization devices Us that are connected to themiddle/high-pressure steam pipe 11, and is used therein.

The middle/high-pressure steam supplied from the middle/high-pressuresteam pipe 11 to the second turbine generator 22 is subjected topressure reduction into middle-pressure steam or low-pressure steam bybeing used for electric power generation by the second turbine generator22, and is thereafter supplied to the middle-pressure steam pipe 12 orthe low-pressure steam pipe 13. The middle/high-pressure steam suppliedfrom the middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11 to the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 is subjected to pressure reduction intomiddle-pressure steam by being used by the first middle/high-pressureturbine 23, and is thereafter supplied to the middle-pressure steam pipe12. The middle/high-pressure steam supplied from themiddle/high-pressure steam pipe 11 to the second middle/high-pressureturbine 24 is subjected to pressure reduction into low-pressure steam bybeing used by the second middle/high-pressure turbine 24, and isthereafter supplied to the low-pressure steam pipe 13.

The middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11 is connected to a second pressurereduction supply path 27 that reduces the pressure of themiddle/high-pressure steam in the middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11 andsupplies middle-pressure steam to the middle-pressure steam pipe 12. Apart of the steam in the middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11 is suppliedto the middle-pressure steam pipe 12 as appropriate due to an open/closeoperation made to a control valve (not shown) that is mounted in thissecond pressure reduction supply path 27.

Middle-pressure steam is supplied to the middle-pressure steam pipe 12through the second turbine generator 22, the first middle/high-pressureturbine 23, the second pressure reduction supply path 27, and the wasteheat boiler 28, which is a steam generation device Gs.

The middle-pressure steam supplied to the middle-pressure steam pipe 12is supplied to a middle-pressure turbine 29 and a heat exchanger 30,which are steam utilization devices Us connected to the middle-pressuresteam pipe 12, and is used therein. The middle-pressure steam suppliedfrom the middle-pressure steam pipe 12 to the middle-pressure turbine 29is subjected to pressure reduction into low-pressure steam by being usedby the middle-pressure turbine 29, and is supplied to the low-pressuresteam pipe 13.

Low-pressure steam is supplied to the low-pressure steam pipe 13 throughthe second turbine generator 22, the second middle/high-pressure turbine24, the middle-pressure turbine 29, and the waste heat boiler 31, whichis a steam generation device Gs.

The low-pressure steam supplied to the low-pressure steam pipe 13 issupplied to a deaerator 32 and a heat exchanger 33, which are steamutilization devices Us, and is used therein. In the deaerator 32, waterthat is to be supplied as a steam source to the first boiler 14, thesecond boiler 17, and the waste heat boilers 18 to 21, 28, and 31 isdeaerated by heating the water using the low-pressure steam suppliedfrom the low-pressure steam pipe 13. Redundant low-pressure steam in thelow-pressure steam pipe 13 is released as unnecessary steam to theoutside of the system through a vent pipe 34.

Thus, the steam utilization facility P has a configuration in which thesteam generated by the steam generation devices Gs is used by the steamutilization devices Us, and thereafter is sequentially reused by thesteam utilization devices Us connected to lower-pressure steam pipes.

Each part of the steam piping system in the steam utilization facility Pis provided with various detectors D (not shown) that detect information(flow rate, pressure, and temperature etc.) regarding steam that passesthrough a corresponding part, and information regarding the amount ofsteam generated by the steam generation devices Gs, the amount of steamused by the steam utilization devices Us, the amount of electric powergenerated by the first and second turbine generators 15 and 22, and thelike, and transmit the information to the management means S. Theinformation detected by these detectors D is transmitted to themanagement means S. Note that various kinds of information may becollected through inspection performed by an inspector, and theinspector may input various kinds of information to the management meansS in accordance with the installation location of the devices, and theimportance of monitoring of the information detected by the devices.

Note that FIG. 2 is merely a schematic diagram, where the number of eachof the devices 10 to 34 is only one. However, it does not necessarilymean that the number of each of the devices 10 to 34 provided in thesteam piping system in the steam utilization facility P is only one. Forexample, in FIG. 2, only one first turbine generator 15 is shown.However, this does not indicate that only one first turbine generator 15is provided in the overall steam utilization facility P, but includesthe case where a plurality of first turbine generators 15 provided inthe overall steam utilization facility P is collectively shown as onefirst turbine generator 15 for the sake of simplification. This alsoapplies to the other devices 10 to 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, a large number of steam traps T and valves B arearranged in a dispersed manner on each part of the steam piping systemin the steam utilization facility P. A detector D that is provided witha sensor for detecting a device state and that transmits detected devicestate information (temperature, vibration etc.) together with positioninformation and installed device model information to the managementmeans S is mounted on each of the steam traps T and the valves B thatare set to be monitoring targets. Thus, the device state informationregarding the steam traps T and the valves B that are monitoring targetsis accumulated in the management means S, and the state at drain waterdischarge locations (the steam traps T and the valves B) can beconstantly or regularly monitored by the management means S.

Note that the detectors D may not be directly mounted in the steam trapsT and the valves B, but may be mounted near them to indirectly detectthe device state information (temperature, vibration etc.) of the steamtraps T and the valves B that are monitoring targets.

Depending on the installation environment at the drain water dischargelocations such as the installation locations and the importance ofmonitoring of the drain water discharge locations, the detectors D maynot be used, and an inspector may collect the device state informationat the drain water discharge locations (the steam traps T and the valvesB) using a portable detector, and input the collected device stateinformation to the management means S. In this case, in this steamutilization facility P, the drain water discharge locations may beclassified into locations where the device state information iscollected by the detectors D and locations where the device stateinformation is collected through inspection performed by an inspector,in accordance with conditions such as the installation environment andthe importance of monitoring of the drain water discharge locations.

FIG. 4 shows a partial configuration of a fuel piping system in thesteam utilization facility P. The fuel piping system in this steamutilization facility P is constituted by two fuel gas pipes 40 and 41,combustion furnaces 42 to 45, the aforementioned first and secondboilers 14 and 17, a fuel tank 46 that stores liquid fuel of C4fraction, a gas turbine 47 to which the fuel of C4 fraction is supplied,and the like. In the following description, a device that supplies fuelgas to the fuel gas pipes 40 and 41 will be referred to as a fuel gasgeneration device Gf, and a device that receives the supply of the fuelgas from the fuel gas pipes 40 and 41 will be referred to as a fuel gasutilization device Uf.

Here is a detailed description of the fuel gas pipes 40 and 41. The fuelgas pipe 40 is a high-pressure gas pipe for transporting high-pressurefuel gas, and the fuel gas pipe 41 is a low-pressure gas pipe fortransporting low-pressure fuel gas.

The high-pressure fuel gas supplied from the combustion furnaces 42 and43, which are fuel gas generation devices Gf, is transported to atransportation destination that is not shown, through the high-pressuregas pipe 40. The high-pressure gas pipe 40 is connected to a supply path48 that reduces the pressure of the high-pressure fuel gas in thehigh-pressure gas pipe 40 and supplies low-pressure fuel gas to thelow-pressure gas pipe 41. The fuel gas in the high-pressure gas pipe 40is supplied to the low-pressure gas pipe 31 as appropriate due to anopen/close operation made to a control valve (not shown) that isdisposed on this supply path 48.

The low-pressure fuel gas supplied from the supply path 48 istransported to a transportation destination that is not shown, throughthe low-pressure gas pipe 41, and a part of the transported low-pressurefuel gas is supplied to the combustion furnaces 44 and 45, which arefuel gas utilization devices Uf, and the aforementioned first and secondboilers 14 and 17. The combustion furnaces 44 and 45 to which the fuelgas is supplied generates the fuel of C4 fraction, the generated fuel ofC4 fraction is stored in the fuel tank 46, and a part of the generatedfuel is supplied to the gas turbine 47, which is a fuel gas utilizationdevice Uf, as necessary. The first and second boilers 14 and 17 generatesteam using the supplied fuel gas. As mentioned above, the fuel A (notshown) that is different from fuel gas is also supplied to the firstboiler 14.

Each part of the fuel piping system in the steam utilization facility Pis provided with a detector D (not shown) that detects information (flowrate, pressure, temperature etc.) regarding fuel gas flowing through acorresponding part, and information regarding the amount of fuel gasgenerated by the fuel gas generation devices Gf, the amount of fuel usedby the fuel gas utilization devices Uf, the amount of liquid fuel storedin the fuel tank, and the like, and transmits the detected informationtogether with position information, model information, and the like tothe management means S. The information detected by this detector D istransmitted to the management means S. Note that various kinds ofinformation may be collected through inspection performed by aninspector, and the inspector may input various kinds of information tothe management means S in accordance with the installation location ofthe devices, and the importance of monitoring of the detectedinformation regarding the devices.

Note that, similar to FIG. 3, the number of each of the devices 14, 17,and 40 to 48 shown in FIG. 4 is only one. However, it does notnecessarily mean that the number of each of the devices 14, 17, and 40to 48 provided in the fuel piping system in the steam utilizationfacility P is only one. FIG. 4 also shows the case where a plurality ofrespective devices 14, 17, and 40 to 48 provided in the overall steamutilization facility P are collectively shown as one device for the sakeof simplification.

Next, an example of usage of the steam utilization devices in this steamutilization facility P and a configuration of the steam utilizationdevices and the periphery thereof will be described.

For example, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the periphery thereof forillustrating a usage of the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23, whichserves as a steam utilization device. Liquid fuel is generated in theperiphery of this first middle/high-pressure turbine 23.

Here is a detailed description. The first middle/high-pressure turbine23 is connected to a compressor 50, and the compressor 50 is driven bysteam St supplied from a steam entrance path 51, which is incommunication with the middle/high-pressure steam pipe 11, to the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23. Fuel gas F that is supplied from a fuelgas supply path 53 to the compressor 50 is compressed as a result of thecompressor 50 so being driven, to generate liquid fuel L. The generatedliquid fuel L is discharged through a liquid fuel supply path 54. Thesteam St supplied from the steam entrance path 51 to the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 is discharged through a steam exit path52, which is in communication with the middle-pressure steam pipe 12.The amount of steam St supplied to the first middle/high-pressureturbine 23 is configured to be adjustable using an adjustment valve 55.

The first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the compressor 50 areconnected to a turbine pump 56, which is connected to the aforementionedmiddle-pressure turbine 29, and a motor pump 58, which is driven by amotor 57, via a lubricating oil supply path 59. The turbine pump 56 isdriven by the steam St supplied to the middle-pressure turbine 29 from asteam entrance path 60, which is in communication with themiddle-pressure steam pipe 12. The steam St supplied from the steamentrance path 60 to the middle-pressure turbine 29 is discharged througha steam exit path 61, which is in communication with the middle-pressuresteam pipe 12. By driving these turbine pump 56 and motor pump 58, thefirst middle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the compressor 50 are suppliedwith lubricating oil O. As a result of the lubricating oil O beingstably supplied, the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 and thecompressor 50 are smoothly driven.

Essentially, the lubricating oil O is supplied to the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the compressor 50 by the motor pump58. If the supply pressure of the lubricating oil O becomes smaller thanor equal to a set value, the lubricating oil O is also supplied by theturbine pump 56. For this reason, if the supply pressure of thelubricating oil O becomes smaller than or equal to the set value, thesteam St of an amount required to cause the turbine pump 56 to perform agiven operation is supplied to the middle-pressure turbine 29 byadjusting the adjustment valve 62. Note that, even when the lubricatingoil O is supplied only by the motor pump 58, the steam St of an amountfor performing a slow roll operation for warming-up is supplied to themiddle-pressure turbine 29 by adjusting the adjustment valve 62.

Steam traps T (T1 to T7) are arranged on the steam entrance path 51 andthe steam exit path 52 of the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23, thesteam entrance path 60 and the steam exit path 61 of the middle-pressureturbine 29, and the middle-pressure turbine 29. With each steam trap Tas a monitoring target, the device state information (temperature,vibration etc.) regarding the steam trap T is detected by theaforementioned detector D and transmitted to the management means S.

Manometers 63 to 68, which serve as detectors D, are mounted on thesteam entrance path 51 and the steam exit path 52 of the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23, the fuel gas supply path 53 and theliquid fuel supply path 54 of the compressor 50, and the lubricating oilsupply path 59, and detect the pressure of fluid that flows throughrespective places. Flowmeters 69 and 70, which serve as detectors D, aremounted on the steam entrance path 51 of the first middle/high-pressureturbine 23 and the liquid fuel supply path 54 of the compressor 50, andthe flow rate of the steam St or the liquid fuel L is detected. Thenumber of revolutions of the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 ismeasured by a tachometer 71, which serves as a detector D and isconnected to the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23. Atemperature/vibration sensor 72, which serves as a detector D, ismounted on the motor 58, and detects the temperature and vibration ofthe motor 58. Various kinds of information detected by the manometers 63to 68, the flowmeters 69 and 70, the tachometer 71, and thetemperature/vibration sensor 72 are transmitted to the management systemS.

Similarly, as an example of usage of the steam utilization devices Us inthe steam utilization facility P and a configuration of the steamutilization device Us and the periphery thereof, FIG. 6 shows aconfiguration diagram of the middle-pressure turbine 29, which serves asa steam utilization device Us, and the periphery thereof. FIG. 6 shows amiddle-pressure turbine 29 that is different from the middle-pressureturbine 29 shown in FIG. 5 and has a different usage from that of themiddle-pressure turbine 29 in FIG. 5.

Water for steam generation is supplied to the waste heat boilers 18 to21, 28, and 31 in the periphery of this middle-pressure turbine 29.

Here is a detailed description. The periphery of the middle-pressureturbine 29 includes a turbine pump 80, which is connected to themiddle-pressure turbine 29, and a motor pump 82, which is driven by amotor 81. The turbine pump 80 is driven by the steam St supplied to themiddle-pressure turbine 29 from a steam entrance path 83, which is incommunication with the middle-pressure steam pipe 12. By driving theseturbine pump 80 and motor pump 82, water W for steam generation issupplied to the waste heat boilers 18 to 21, 28, and 31 through a watersupply path 85. The steam St supplied from the steam entrance path 83 tothe middle-pressure turbine 29 is discharged through a steam exit path84, which is in communication with the low-pressure steam pipe 13. Theamount of steam St supplied to the middle-pressure turbine 29 isconfigured to be adjustable using an adjustment valve 86.

Essentially, the water W for steam generation is supplied to the wasteheat boilers 18 to 21, 28, and 31 by the motor pump 82. If the supplypressure of the water W becomes smaller than or equal to a set value,the water W is also supplied by the turbine pump 80. For this reason,only when the supply pressure of the water W becomes smaller than orequal to the set value, the steam St of an amount required to cause theturbine pump 80 to perform a given operation is supplied to themiddle-pressure turbine 29 by adjusting the adjustment valve 86. If thewater W is supplied only by the motor pump 82, the steam St is notsupplied from the steam entrance path 83. Note that the middle-pressureturbine 29 is warmed up by the steam St from the steam exit path 84.

The turbine pump 80, and a water supply path 85 a and a water supplypath 85 b respectively on the entrance side and the exit side of theturbine pump 80 are provided with tracing pipes 87, which pass the steamSt therethrough. By repeating the supply of the steam St to thesetracing pipes 87 and interruption of the supplied steam St asappropriate, or by changing the amount of steam to be passed through orthe temperature of the steam St, the temperature of the water W passingtherethrough is kept at an appropriate temperature. Drain water, whichis the supplied steam St that has changed into condensation orcondensate water and retained in the tracing pipes 87, is discharged bythe steam traps T (T12 to 14) that are mounted in the tracing pipes 87.

In addition to the tracing pipes 87, the steam traps T (T8 to 11) arealso arranged on the middle-pressure steam pipe 12, and the steamentrance path 83 and the steam exit path 84 of the middle-pressureturbine 29. With each steam trap T as a monitoring target, the devicestate information (temperature, vibration etc.) regarding the steam trapT is detected by the aforementioned detector D and transmitted to themanagement means S.

A manometer 88 and a flowmeter 89, which serve as detectors D, aremounted on the middle-pressure steam pipe 12, and detect the pressureand the flow rate of the steam St supplied to the steam entrance path 83of the middle-pressure turbine 29 from the middle-pressure steam pipe12. A manometer 90, which serves as a detector D, is also mounted on thewater supply path 85, and detects the discharge pressure of the water Wfor steam generation supplied to the waste heat boilers 18 to 21, 28,and 31. A tachometer 91, which serves as a detector D, is mounted on themiddle-pressure turbine 29, and detects the number of revolutions of themiddle-pressure turbine 29. An ammeter 92 and a temperature/vibrationsensor 93, which serve as detectors D, are mounted on the motor 81, anddetect the current value, temperature, and vibration of the motor 81.Various kinds of detected information is transmitted to the managementsystem S.

Next, the management means S applied to the steam utilization facility Pwill be described. FIG. 7 shows a system configuration of the managementmeans S. The management means S is constituted by the data input unitS1, the simulation unit S2, the monitoring unit S3, a scalingcalculation unit S4, a threshold setting unit S5, a storage unit S6 thatstores various kinds of information, and an instruction input unit S7 towhich instructions for the simulation unit S2 and the monitoring unit S3are input.

The data input unit S1 acquires information transmitted from thedetectors D provided in the steam utilization facility P (or informationcollected by an inspector). Note that various kinds of acquiredinformation are classified into information Ja to Jd as shown below.

Specifically, various kinds of acquired information are classified intosteam piping system information Ja, such as the amount of steam thatpasses through each part of the steam piping system in the steamutilization facility P, fuel piping system information Jb that is basedon the amount of fuel gas that passes through each part of the fuel gaspiping system in the steam utilization facility P, or the like, deviceinformation Jc, which includes information regarding each of the devices(including not only the steam utilization devices Us but also the steamgeneration device Gs) in the steam utilization facility P andinformation regarding devices peripheral to these devices, pipes, andthe like in association with each other, and drain water dischargelocation information Jd, which is collective state information at drainwater discharge locations in the steam utilization facility P.

The steam piping system information Ja specifically is the maininformation regarding steam (information including flow rate, pressure,and temperature etc.), such as the steam generated by the steamgeneration devices Gs shown in FIG. 2, the steam supplied to the steampipes 10 to 13 by the steam generation devices Gs and the like, thesteam used by the steam utilization devices Us, the steam supplied tothe steam pipes 10 to 13 from the turbine generators or the turbines 15,22 to 24, and 29, the steam released from the vent pipe 34, the steamsupplied from the first and second pressure reduction supply pipes 16and 27 to the middle/high-pressure and middle-pressure steam pipes 11and 12, and unknown steam that is a combination of the amount of steamthat passes through and is lost at the steam traps T (e.g. FIGS. 5 and6) connected to the steam pipes 10 to 13 and condensation in the pipes,as well as information regarding the amount of electric power generatedby the turbine generators 15 and 22, information regarding electricpower demand and the amount of received electric power in the steamutilization facility P, and the like.

The fuel piping system information Jb specifically is the maininformation regarding fuel gas (information including flow rate,pressure, temperature etc.), such as the fuel gas generated by the fuelgeneration devices Gf, the fuel gas supplied from the fuel generationdevices Gf to the high-pressure gas pipe 40, the fuel gas used by thefuel utilization devices Uf, and the fuel gas supplied from the supplypath 48 to the low-pressure gas pipe 41, as well as informationregarding the fuel of C4 fraction, such as the information regarding theamount of fuel of C4 fraction generated by the combustion furnaces 44and 45, the amount of fuel of C4 fraction used by the gas turbine 47,and the amount of fuel of C4 fraction stored in the fuel tank 46,information regarding the amount of fuel A supplied to the first boiler14, information regarding the cost of fuel required for steam generationin the first and second boilers 14 and 17, and the like.

The device information Jc is, taking the first middle/high-pressureturbine 23 that is the steam utilization device Us as an example,collective information that includes various information from thedetectors D mounted on the target first middle/high-pressure turbine 23as well as peripheral devices such as the steam traps T and thecompressor 50 in the periphery thereof, in an associated state.

The drain water discharge location information Jd is information thatassociates the device state information (temperature, vibration etc.)regarding the steam traps T and the valves B that are monitoring targetsin the steam utilization facility P with a positional relationshipbetween the steam traps T and the valves B and a correspondencerelationship between the steam traps T and the valves B.

Stored in the storage unit S6 is reference information Je, which iscollective basic information including reference values for respectivevalues of the information Ja to Jd, specifications of the devices (thesteam generation devices Gs, the steam utilization devices Us, the fuelgeneration devices Gf, the fuel utilization devices Uf, peripheraldevices thereof, various pipes etc.) in the steam utilization facility,and types and prices of the fuel used in the respective steam generationdevices Gs, improvement idea information Jf that is collectiveinformation including improvement ideas and specific execution itemsthereof for the steam utilization facility, and drain water dischargedatabase Db constituted by information regarding drain water dischargelocations, such as the piping layout of the pipes on which the steamtraps T and the valves B are arranged created in advance throughinspection or the like, and the models, operating state, and positionsof the steam traps T and the valves B. As the reference values, valuesof information at the time of designing the steam utilization facilityP, values detected during inspection of the steam utilization facilityP, and the like are stored.

The data input unit S1 acquires the information Ja to Jd that istransmitted from the detectors D or collected by an inspector, as wellas the reference information Je, the improvement idea information Jf,and the drain water discharge database Db from the storage unit S6. Thatis to say, the data input unit S1 acquires various kinds of informationJa to Jf and Db. Based on the acquired information, the energy balanceevaluation information Ia is generated by the simulation unit S2, andthe steam device evaluation information Ib and the drain water dischargeevaluation information Ic, which serve as monitoring results, aregenerated by the monitoring unit S3. Various kinds of information Ia toIc selected by the instruction input unit S7 is displayed on an outputmeans S8.

Next, generation of the energy balance evaluation information Ia by thesimulation unit S2 will be described. The energy balance evaluationinformation Ia includes steam generation cost evaluation informationIa1, steam piping system evaluation information Ia2, and fuel pipingsystem evaluation information Ia3.

Here is a description of the steam generation cost evaluationinformation Ia1. In general, the necessary costs for generating steamwith a steam generation device in a steam utilization facility areformed by a plurality of steam generation cost factors, such as theamount of steam generated by each steam generation device, the type andprice of fuel used by each steam generation device and the amount ofused fuel (regarding each type of fuel in the case of using two or moretypes of fuel), and steam generation efficiency with respect to theamount of fuel used by each steam generation device. These steamgeneration cost factors reflect the running state of the steamutilization facility.

Therefore, the management means S calculates a steam generation cost Cwhile setting a plurality of steam generation cost factors that reflectthe running state of the steam utilization facility to a singlereference value that can be readily ascertained, and evaluates the steamsystem in terms of costs and generates the steam generation costevaluation information Ia1 for evaluating the running state of the steamutilization facility particularly regarding the necessity forimprovement to the steam utilization facility (necessity forimprovement), based on the steam generation cost C. The evaluation ofthe necessity for improvement to the steam utilization facility willmake it clear that some kind of problem or points to be improved existin the steam utilization facility, and help optimization of the runningstate of the steam utilization facility.

For generating the steam generation cost evaluation information Ia1,initially, the scaling calculation unit S4 calculates the steamgeneration cost C, which is a value obtained by scaling (or normalizing)a plurality of steam generation cost factors into a single referencevalue. For example, the steam generation cost factors are the amount ofsteam generated by each steam generation device Gs, the amount of fuelused by each steam generation device Gs, and the type and price of thefuel.

More specifically, the total amount of steam generated by the steamgeneration devices Gs is obtained by adding up the amounts of steamgenerated by the respective boilers 14, 17 to 21, 28, and 31. Next, thetotal fuel cost for the steam generation devices Gs is obtained based onthe amount of respective types of fuel used by the first and secondboilers 14 and 17 (the respective amounts of used fuel gas and fuel Afor the first boiler 14, and the amount of used fuel gas for the secondboiler) and the price of the respective types of fuel (the waste heatboilers 18 to 21, 28, and 31 are excluded because steam is generated bywaste heat generated during the running of the steam utilizationfacility P). The steam generation cost C is calculated by dividing thetotal amount of steam generated by the steam generation devices Gs bythe total fuel cost for the steam generation devices Gs.

A threshold setting unit S5 sets a threshold for evaluating thenecessity for improvement to the steam utilization facility based on areference value of the steam generation cost C for the steam utilizationfacility P in the reference information Je. Specifically, a firstthreshold x1, which is higher than the reference value and serves as areference indicating that the steam utilization facility needs to beimproved, and a second threshold x2, which is lower than the referencevalue and serves as a reference indicating that the steam utilizationfacility is being adequately run, are set. Note that, a threshold forevaluating the necessity for improvement to the steam utilizationfacility may also be set in place of or in addition to the first andsecond thresholds x1 and x2.

The simulation unit S2 evaluates the necessity for improvement to thesteam utilization facility to generate the steam generation costevaluation information Ia1. Specifically, it is evaluated that the steamutilization facility P needs to be improved if the calculated steamgeneration cost C exceeds the first threshold x1. Thus, it can be foundthat the steam utilization facility needs to be improved, which helpswith finding the points to be improved to optimize the running state ofthe steam utilization facility. It is evaluated that the steamutilization facility P is being adequately operated if the steamgeneration cost C is smaller than the second threshold x2. Thus, it canbe found that the steam utilization facility is being adequatelyoperated, and for example, the state of the steam utilization facilityfor which it has been determined that the steam utilization facility isbeing adequately operated can be used as a reference for optimization ofthe running state of the steam utilization facility.

If the value of the calculated steam generation cost C is between thefirst threshold and the second threshold, the simulation unit S2evaluates that the steam utilization facility P is being normally run.Note that the necessity for improvement for the steam utilizationfacility P may be evaluated in stages (high/middle/low urgency forimprovement, high/middle/low degree of adequateness of the running etc.)by, for example, the threshold setting unit S3 also setting a thresholdin addition to the first and second thresholds x1 and x2.

The simulation unit S2 may also generate an improvement measure for thesteam utilization facility P in the evaluation of the necessity forimprovement. The improvement measure is generated by referencing theacquired improvement idea information Jf and deriving, throughcalculation, one improvement idea or a combination of improvement ideasthat are optimal for improvement to the current steam utilizationfacility P. Alternatively, the improvement measure may also be generatedby other appropriate means, for example, by storing correctivemaintenance information in the storage unit S6 in advance anddetermining a location of an abnormality based on a comparison betweenthe values of various information Ja to Jd acquired by the data inputunit S1 and corresponding reference values in the reference informationJe (e.g. recognizing a location in the steam utilization facility P atwhich the difference from the reference value is a value that exceeds anallowable range as the location of an abnormality, or recognizing thelocation of an abnormality after making a determination by combininginformation comparison results, etc.) and acquiring correctivemaintenance information corresponding to this location of anabnormality.

The simulation unit S2 also displays, on the output means S8, a graphinformation image Ga shown in FIG. 8 as one item of the steam generationcost evaluation information Ia1. The graph information image Ga includesa value display space ga1 that displays the value of the calculatedsteam generation cost C and the reference value thereof, and thepercentage of the value of the steam generation cost C in the case wherethe reference value thereof is 100%, and a graph display space ga2 thatdisplays a graph indicating a chronological change in the steamgeneration cost C. The graph display space ga2 displays a lineindicating a reference value of the steam generation cost together witha line indicating the chronological changes in the steam generationcost.

The past changes in the steam generation cost C as well as the currentsteam generation cost C can be ascertained from the chronologicalchanges in the steam generation cost. Therefore, for example, factors ofthe past changes in the steam generation cost C can be analyzed by, forexample, referencing the past running situation of the steam utilizationfacility P, and thus, the necessity for improvement to the steamutilization facility can be accurately evaluated.

Note that the graph display space ga2 may also display together a lineindicating a chronological change in the fuel consumed in the steamutilization facility P. In the case of generating steam also using thewaste heat boilers 18 to 21, 28, and 31 as in the case of the steamutilization facility P, the amount of waste heat generated by therunning further reduces as a smaller amount of fuel is consumed in thesteam utilization facility P, i.e. as the running of the steamutilization facility P is delayed more, and the amount of steamgenerated by the waste heat boilers 18 to 21, 28, and 31 reduces. Then,steam has to be generated using the fuel by the first and second boilersfor an amount that corresponds to the amount of reduction, which leadsto an increase in the amount of fuel used by the steam generationdevices Gs, resulting in an increase in the steam generation cost C.Thus, the steam generation cost C and the fuel consumed in the steamutilization facility P have some degree of correlation. Therefore, thenecessity for improvement to the steam utilization facility can be moreaccurately evaluated by displaying the chronological change in the steamgeneration cost and the chronological change in the fuel consumed in thesteam utilization facility P together.

The evaluation of the necessity for improvement and the improvementmeasure generated by the simulation unit S2 are displayed on the graphinformation image Ga. Note that the content of the evaluation of thenecessity for improvement and the improvement measure may be transmittedto a communication terminal of the administrator such as a computer or amobile phone by a communication unit that is not shown, for example. Theevaluation of the necessity for improvement and the improvement measuremay be displayed on the graph information image Ga and transmitted tothe communication terminal in accordance with the content of theevaluation of the necessity for improvement. For example, such displayand transmission may be performed only when it has been evaluated thatthe steam utilization facility P needs to be improved or when the steamutilization facility P is being adequately run.

Here is a description of the steam piping system evaluation informationIa2. The simulation unit S2 displays, as the steam piping systemevaluation information Ia2, a steam piping system image Gb, which is aconfiguration diagram of the steam piping system in the steamutilization facility P in which each part of the steam piping system isshown as a display body as shown in FIG. 9, on the output means S8 basedon the steam piping system information Ja.

To generate the steam piping system evaluation information Ia2, thesimulation unit S2 calculates information regarding a comparison betweenthe amount of steam that passes through each part of the steam pipingsystem in the steam utilization facility P in the steam piping system Jaand the reference value corresponding to this amount of steam in thereference information Je (the relationship regarding which is larger orsmaller and the difference therebetween etc.). In the steam pipingsystem image Gb, the value of the amount of steam that passes through apart corresponding to each display body among the acquired values of theamount of steam is displayed near this display body in a state where thevalue of the amount of steam is associated with the comparisoninformation. “A state where the value of the amount of steam isassociated with the comparison information” refers to, for example, astate where the value of the amount of steam is displayed with differentcolors, the value is emphasized, the value is enclosed by a frame orshaded, or arrows or lines that connect the devices and the pipes aredisplayed with different colors or emphasized, in accordance with therelationship regarding which is larger or smaller and the differencebetween the value of the amount of steam and the reference value.

The steam piping system image Gb includes a facility configurationdisplay space gb1 that shows the steam piping system in the steamutilization facility P, a steam amount display space gb2 that shows thetotal amount of generated steam, the amount of unknown steam, and thepercentage of unknown steam (the percentage of the amount of unknownsteam in the total amount of generated steam) in the steam utilizationfacility P, and a fuel etc. display space gb3 that shows the amount ofeach type of consumed fuel, the amount of generated electric power, theamount of consumed water, the amount of consumed CO₂, and the like inthe steam utilization facility P.

In the facility configuration display space gb1, assuming a total valueof the amount of lost steam that passes through a large number of steamtraps T connected to the steam pipes 10 to 13 and the amount of loststeam that is lost due to condensation during the feeding through thesteam pipes 10 to 13 as the amount of unknown steam in the steam pipes10 to 13, display bodies 35 to 37 that are assumed to be destinations ofthe amount of this unknown steam are displayed in addition to thedisplay bodies 10 to 34 indicating respective constituents described inFIG. 2. Near the display bodies 10 to 37 in the facility configurationdisplay space gb1, information regarding the amount of steam (t/h) thatpasses through the respective display bodies 10 to 37 are displayed in astate where the information is associated with the comparisoninformation (in FIG. 9, a display body having a higher value than thereference value is shaded, and a display body having a lower value thanthe reference value is enclosed by a frame).

The steam amount display space gb2 displays the total amount ofgenerated steam, the amount of unknown steam, and the percentage ofunknown steam in the steam utilization facility P, in a state where theyare associated with the comparison information (in FIG. 9, a highervalue than the reference value is shaded).

The fuel etc. display space gb3 displays the amount of each type ofconsumed fuel (in this example, fuel (C4) and fuel gas), the amount ofgenerated electric power, the amount of consumed water, differences fromthe reference values thereof in the reference information Je and valuesof these differences converted into the monetary amount, and adifference between the amount of consumed CO₂ and the reference valuethereof.

From the steam piping system image Gb, the amount of steam, the amountof each type of consumed fuel, the amount of generated electric power,the amount of consumed water, the amount of consumed CO₂, and the valuesthereof converted into the monetary amount at the time of referencerunning and in the current running can be ascertained, and the runningstatus of the steam piping system in the steam utilization facility P ismade clear.

Furthermore, particularly from the facility configuration display spacegb1 and the steam amount display space gb2, the steam balance in theoverall steam utilization facility is made clear as energy balance. Forexample, the running status of the steam utilization facility can beascertained from the viewpoints of steam-saving, such as in terms of theamount of steam loss existing in the steam system in the steamutilization facility, and a method for reducing the loss and the amountof reducible loss with this method.

Also, the balance between heat and electric power is made clear from thetotal amount of generated steam in the steam utilization facility P inthe steam amount display space gb2 and the amount of generated electricpower in the fuel etc. display space gb3. For example, a change in thecost required for steam generation due to a change in the unit price ofthe fuel, and the optimal balance between heat and electric power in thesteam utilization facility obtained while giving consideration to theamount of electric power and a change in the cost in power purchase canbe ascertained.

Here is a description of the fuel piping system evaluation informationIa3. The simulation unit S2 displays, on the output means S8, a fuelpiping system image Gc shown in FIG. 10 that serves as fuel pipingsystem evaluation information Ia3, which is a configuration diagram ofthe fuel piping system in the steam utilization facility P in which eachpart of the fuel piping system is shown as a display body, based on thefuel piping system information Jb.

When generating the fuel piping system evaluation information Ia3, thesimulation unit S2 calculates information regarding a comparison betweeninformation regarding the amount of each type of fuel that passesthrough each part of the fuel piping system in the steam utilizationfacility P in the fuel piping system information Jb and the like, andthe reference value corresponding to this information in the referenceinformation Je (a relationship regarding which is larger or smaller, adifference therebetween etc.). In the fuel piping system image Gc, thevalue of the amount of fuel that passes through a region correspondingto each display body among acquired values of the amount of fuel isdisplayed near the corresponding display body, in a state where thevalue of the amount of fuel is associated with comparison informationregarding this value. “A state where the value of the amount of fuel isassociated with comparison information regarding this value” refers to,for example, a state where the value of each type of fuel is displayedwith different colors, the value is emphasized, the value is enclosed bya frame or shaded, or arrows or lines connecting the devices and thepipes are displayed with different colors or emphasized, in accordancewith the relationship regarding which is larger or smaller and thedifference between the value of each type of fuel and the referencevalue.

The fuel piping system image Gc includes a facility configurationdisplay space gc1 that shows the fuel piping system in the steamutilization facility P, a fuel gas consumption display space gb2 thatshows the total amount of generated fuel gas, the total amount ofconsumed fuel gas, the amount of unknown gas, and the percentage ofunknown gas (the percentage of the amount of unknown steam in the totalamount of generated fuel gas) in the steam utilization facility P, andthe fuel etc. display space gb3 that shows the amount of each type ofconsumed fuel in the steam utilization facility P.

The facility configuration display space gc1 displays display bodies 40to 48 that indicates respective constituents described in FIG. 2. Theinformation regarding the amount (t/h) of each type of fuel (in thisexample, the fuel gas and the fuel of C4 fraction) that is fed from thedisplay bodies 40 to 48 or supplied to the display bodies 40 to 48 isdisplayed in a state where the amount is associated with comparisoninformation (in FIG. 10, a higher value than the reference value isshaded, and a lower value than the reference value is enclosed by aframe) near the respective display bodies 40 to 48 in the facilityconfiguration display space g1.

In the fuel gas amount display space gc2, the total amount of generatedfuel gas, the total amount of consumed fuel gas, the amount of unknowngas, and the percentage of unknown gas in the steam utilization facilityP are displayed in a state where they are associated with comparisoninformation (in this example, a higher value than the reference value isshaded, and a lower value than the reference value is enclosed by aframe).

The fuel etc. display space gc3 displays a difference between the amountof each type of consumed fuel (in this example, the amounts of consumedfuel gas, fuel in C4 fraction, and fuel A) and the reference valuethereof in the reference information Je, and the value of the differenceconverted into a monetary amount.

With the fuel piping system image Gc, the amount of each type of fuelgas, the amount of each type of consumed fuel, and the values thereofconverted into the monetary amount at the time of reference running andthe current running can be ascertained, and the running status of thefuel piping system in the steam utilization facility P is made clear.

Furthermore, particularly with the facility configuration display spacegel, the fuel balance between the amount of fuel consumed in the firstand second boilers 14 and 17 and the amount of fuel stored in the fueltank 46 and shipped is made clear. Then, for example, the balancebetween the amount of shipped fuel and the sales with respect to therunning status such as the steam use status of the steam utilizationfacility can be ascertained.

Next, the steam device evaluation information Ib generated by themonitoring unit S3 will be described. This steam device evaluationinformation Ib includes operating state determination information Ib1and device detail information Ib2.

Initially, when generating the operating state determination informationIb1, the monitoring unit S3 determines the operating states ofrespective devices such as the steam utilization devices Us and thesteam generation devices Gs based on the detection information from thedetectors D.

For example, in the determination of the operating states of the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the middle-pressure turbine 29 shownin FIG. 5, the monitoring unit S3 monitors the detection informationfrom the detectors D based on the following monitoring items.

(1) The operation of the first middle/high-pressure steam turbine 23 andthe compressor 50 is checked based on the detection information from themanometer 63 and the flowmeter 69 on the steam entrance path 51, themanometer 64 on the steam exit path 52, the manometer 65 on the fuel gassupply path 53, the manometer 66 and the flowmeter 70 on the liquid fuelsupply path 54, and the tachometer 71 on the first middle/high-pressuresteam turbine 23.

(2) The operation of the motor pump 57 is checked based on the detectioninformation from the manometer 67 on the lubricating oil supply path 59.

(3) The operation of the turbine pump 56 is checked based on thedetection information from the manometer 68 on the lubricating oilsupply path when the turbine pump 56 is operating.

(4) The operation of the motor 58 is checked based on a detection signalfrom the temperature/vibration sensor 72 of the motor 58.

Furthermore, this monitoring unit S3 monitors the following items basedon detection signals from the detectors D arranged on the steam traps T.

(5) When the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 is in a standbystate, it is checked whether any drain water is retained in the steamtraps T1 to T3, and it is also checked whether the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 is in a state of being able toimmediately operate (e.g. the risk of the occurrence water hammer).

(6) While the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 is operating, it ischecked whether any drain water is retained in the steam traps T1 to T3,to check the risk of mixing of drain water with the steam supplied tothe first middle/high-pressure turbine 23.

(7) While the first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 is operating, it ischecked whether the temperature of the steam traps T1 to T3appropriately changes, to check that steam has been supplied to thefirst middle/high-pressure turbine 23 without any problem.

(8) When the middle-pressure turbine 29 is in a standby state, it ischecked whether any drain water is retained in the steam traps T4 to T7,to check whether the middle-pressure turbine 29 is in a state of beingable to immediately operate (e.g. the risk of the occurrence waterhammer).

(9) While the middle-pressure turbine 29 is operating, it is checkedwhether any drain water is retained in the steam traps T4 to T7, tocheck the risk of mixing of drain water with the steam supplied to themiddle-pressure turbine 29.

(10) While the middle-pressure turbine 29 is operating, it is checkedwhether the temperature of the steam traps T4 to T7 appropriatelychanges, to check that steam has been supplied to the middle-pressureturbine 29 without any problem.

(11) In the case where a decrease in the flow rate of the liquid fuel Lhas been detected from the detection information from the flowmeter 70on the liquid fuel supply path 54, turbine efficiency of the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 is calculated from the pressure of steaminput to and output from the first middle/high pressure turbine 23 atthe manometers 63 and 64 on the steam entrance path 51 and the steamexit path 52, the steam temperature based on the temperature of thesteam traps T1 and T2 from the detectors D, and the number ofrevolutions of the first middle/high pressure turbine 23 at thetachometer 71 on the first middle/high pressure turbine 23, and based onthe turbine efficiency, it is determined whether the cause of thedecrease in the flow rate of the liquid fuel L exists on the steam sideor the gas side.

This monitoring unit S3 comprehensively determines the above monitoringitems (1) to (11) and determines the operating states of the firstmiddle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the middle-pressure turbine 29 thatserve as steam utilization devices Us. In particular, the detectioninformation regarding the steam traps T is also used in thedetermination of the operating states of the first middle/high-pressureturbine 23 and the middle-pressure turbine 29. Therefore, it is possibleto check whether the steam utilization devices Us are in a state ofbeing able to immediately operate, check the risk of mixing of drainwater with supplied steam, check the flow of steam when the steamutilization devices Us are operating, and estimate the cause of theabnormality, for example, as in the above monitoring items (5) to (11)that did not exist in conventional techniques.

In determining the operating state of the middle-pressure turbine 29shown in FIG. 6, the monitoring unit S3 monitors the detectioninformation from the detectors D based on the following monitoringitems.

(a) The operation of the middle-pressure turbine 29 is checked based onthe detection information from the manometer 88 and the flowmeter 89 onthe middle-pressure steam pipe 12 and the tachometer 91 on themiddle-pressure turbine 29.

(b) The operation of the motor 81 and the motor pump 82 is checked basedon the detection information from the manometer 90 on the water supplypath 85 and the ammeter 92 and the temperature/vibration sensor 93 onthe motor 81.

Furthermore, this monitoring unit S3 monitors the following items basedon detection information from the detectors D arranged on the steamtraps T.

(c) When the middle-pressure turbine 29 is in a standby state, it ischecked whether any drain water is retained in the steam traps T8 toT11, to check whether the middle-pressure turbine 29 is in a state ofbeing able to operate immediately (e.g. the risk of the occurrence ofwater hammer).

(d) When the middle-pressure turbine 29 is operating, it is checkedwhether any drain water is retained in the steam traps T8 to T11, tocheck the risk of mixing of drain water with the steam supplied to themiddle-pressure turbine 29.

(e) When the middle-pressure turbine 29 is operating, it is checkedwhether the temperature of the steam trap T10 appropriately changes, tocheck that steam has been supplied to the middle-pressure turbine 29without any problem.

(f) It is checked whether any drain water is retained in the steam trapsT12 to T14, the operation of the tracing pipes 87 is checked, and thepossibility that the water supply path 85 is frozen during winter, forexample, is checked.

This monitoring unit S3 comprehensively determines the above monitoringitems (a) to (f), and determines the operating state of themiddle-pressure turbine 29 that serves as a steam utilization device Us.In particular, this monitoring unit S3 also uses the detectioninformation regarding the steam traps T in the determination of theoperating state of the middle-pressure turbine 29. Therefore, it ispossible to check whether the steam utilization device is in a state ofbeing able to immediately operate, check the risk of mixing of drainwater with supplied steam, check the flow of steam when the steamutilization device is operating, and check the possibility that thewater supply path 85 is frozen, for example, as in the above monitoringitems (c) to (f) that did not exist in conventional techniques.

Then, the monitoring unit S3 displays, for respective target devices(the steam generation devices Gs and the steam utilization devices Usetc.), the operating state information Ib1, i.e. device images, whichare configuration diagrams of devices and the periphery thereof in whichthe target devices as well as peripheral devices and pipes thereof areshown as display bodies, e.g. device images Gd and Ge shown in FIGS. 11and 12, on the output means S8 based on the device information Jc andthe result of the above determination of the operating states of therespective devices (whether the devices are operating normally etc.).Then, in the device images Gd and Ge, the display bodies are displayedin a state where each display body is associated with the result of thedetermination of the operating state. “A state where each display bodyis associated with the result of the determination of the operatingstate” refers to, for example, a state where each display body isdisplayed with different colors, enclosed by a frame, or emphasized inaccordance with the determination result.

For example, in the device image Gd shown in FIG. 11, display bodies 23,29, 50 to 72, and T that indicate respective constituent elementsdescribed in FIG. 5 are displayed in a state where they are associatedwith the result of the determination of the operating states of therespective devices (e.g. if a certain location (in FIG. 11, the steamtraps T2 and T5) is determined as being abnormal, this location iscircled).

Also, for example, in the device image Ge shown in FIG. 12, displaybodies 29, 80 to 93, and T that indicate respective constituentsdescribed in FIG. 6 are displayed in a state where they are associatedwith the comparison information (similar to FIG. 11, if a certainlocation (in FIG. 12, the steam trap T11 and the tachometer 91 on themiddle-pressure turbine 29) is determined as being abnormal, thislocation is circled).

Furthermore, by selecting a display body on the device images throughselection processing performed on the instruction input unit S7 in therespective device images, the device detail information Ib2corresponding to the selected display body is displayed on the outputmeans S8. As the device detail information Ib2, the model of a device,the details of the operating state thereof, history information such aspast failure information and inspection results, and work instructioninformation that corresponds to an abnormality in the case where theoperating state of the device is abnormal, are displayed. As the workinstruction information, for example, an image of the correspondingdevice, information regarding the arrangement place thereof, and anappropriate work instruction in accordance with the model of thecorresponding device, and the content of the determination informationrelating thereto (the type of the abnormality, the degree of theabnormality etc.) are displayed.

By referring to the history information, it is possible to ascertain thefrequency of failures in the device and the cause of failures, and todetermine the necessity for review of the models of the installeddevices and change of peripheral devices, for example, which leads tooptimization of the running state of the steam utilization facility. Inaddition, the work instruction information enables prompt handling ofthe abnormality.

Next, generation of the drain water discharge evaluation information Icby the monitoring unit S3 will be described. This steam deviceevaluation information Ic includes the operating state determinationinformation Ic1 and drain water the discharge location detailinformation Ic2.

The monitoring unit S3 displays, on the output means S8, the operatingstate determination information Id., which is an image combining anarrangement diagram that displays display bodies indicating the drainwater discharge locations (the steam traps T and the valves B) in thesteam utilization facility P with the operating states at the respectivedrain water discharge locations, e.g. a drain water discharge evaluationimage Gf shown in FIG. 13, based on the drain water discharge locationinformation Jd and the drain water discharge database Db.

Specifically, the monitoring unit S3 determines the operating state ateach drain water discharge location based on a comparison between thedrain water discharge location information Jd (device state information(temperature, vibration etc.) at each drain water discharge location)and the reference value corresponding thereto in the referenceinformation Je, and determines whether the operating state is normal orabnormal, the type of the abnormality (steam leakage abnormality,blocked trap abnormality, temperature abnormality etc.), and the degreeof the abnormality (e.g. warning level and failure level etc.).

Note that the steam leakage abnormality (leakage failure) refers to anabnormality in which, although the steam traps T are required to performtheir original function of discharging only condensation whileinhibiting an outflow of steam, the steam flows out beyond the allowablelimit. The blocked trap abnormality (clogging failure) refers to anabnormality in which condensation is not smoothly discharged (i.e.clogged trap), and the temperature abnormality refers to an abnormalityin which the trap temperature or the trap peripheral temperaturedeviates from a proper range to the lower side or the upper side.

The monitoring unit S3 updates the drain water discharge database Db tothe latest state based on the result of the determination of theoperating state at each drain water discharge location. An arrangementdiagram (e.g. the drain water discharge evaluation image Gf) in whicheach drain water discharge location is displayed as a display body basedon the updated drain water discharge database Db is generated, and thedisplay body of each drain water discharge location is displayed on thearrangement diagram in a state where each display body is associatedwith the above determination result. “A state where each display body isassociated with the determination result” refers to, for example, astate where each display body is displayed with different colors oremphasized, or the display thereof is changed in accordance with thecontent of the determination result.

For example, the drain water discharge location image Gf indicates thearrangement of the drain water discharge locations in a part of thesteam utilization facility P, and the respective drain water dischargelocations are displayed as display bodies T and B in the arrangementplace thereof. The display bodies T and B are displayed in a state wherethey are associated with the above determination information. In thisexample, in the case of the display body T for example, in FIG. 13, 100denotes that the state of the steam trap T is normal, 101 denotes thatthe state of the steam trap T is at a warning level of the steam leakageabnormality, 102 denotes that the state of the steam trap T is at afailure level of the steam leakage abnormality, 103 denotes that thestate of the steam trap T is a temperature abnormality, 104 denotes thatthe steam trap T is not being used, and 105 denotes that the state ofthe valve is normal. Thus, the image Gf allows the state of the drainwater discharge locations to be visually ascertained.

Furthermore, by selecting a display body T, B through selectionprocessing performed on the instruction input unit S7 in the arrangementdiagram of the drain water discharge locations serving as the operatingstate determination information Id 1, the drain water discharge locationdetail information Ic2 regarding the drain water discharge locationinstalled in the arrangement place corresponding to the selected displaybody T is displayed on the output means S8. As the drain water dischargelocation detail information Ic2, the details of the state of the drainwater discharge location, history information such as past failureinformation and inspection results, and work instruction informationcorresponding to an abnormality in the case where the operating state atthe drain water discharge location is abnormal, are displayed. Thehistory information is not limited to the information regarding thesteam traps T and the valves B that are currently installed in thisarrangement place, and information regarding the steam traps T andvalves B that have been arranged in the past at this arrangement placeand replaced is also displayed. As the work instruction information, animage of the corresponding steam trap T or valve B, informationregarding the arrangement place thereof, and a work instruction that issuitable for the location and type of the corresponding steam trap T orvalve B, and the content of the determination information relatingthereto (the type of the abnormality, the degree of the abnormalityetc.) are displayed.

By referencing the history information, it is possible to ascertain thefrequency of failure in the steam traps and the valves, and the cause ofthe failure, and to determine the necessity for reviewing the models ofthe steam traps T and the valves B, and for changing related steam trapsT or valves B or the piping layout, which leads to optimization of therunning state of the steam utilization facility. In addition, the workinstruction information enables prompt handling of the abnormality.

Note that the drain water discharge location image Gf may be an image inwhich the drain water discharge locations (the steam traps T and thevalves B) are displayed as display bodies on a map indicating a processflow in the steam utilization facility P.

As described above, the management means S achieves visualization of thesteam system from three viewpoints that are the energy balanceevaluation information Ia, the steam device evaluation information Ib,and the drain water discharge evaluation information Ic, by thesimulation unit S2 and the monitoring unit S3, and utilizes thisvisualization for optimization of the running state of the steamutilization facility by the administrator in charge of the steamutilization facility P.

The above evaluation information Ia to Ic, the calculated steamgeneration cost C, the updated drain water discharge database Db, andthe information Ja to Jd acquired by the data input unit are stored inthe storage unit S6. Thus, the steam system can be ascertained bylooking back at the past running state of the steam utilization facilityretrospectively.

The output means S8 also generates an improvement idea image Gg shown inFIG. 14 in which improvement ideas are listed, based on the improvementidea information Jf. By inputting one or a plurality of the listedimprovement ideas using the instruction input unit S7 (or based on animprovement measure generated by the simulation unit S2), the simulationunit S2 calculates an improved steam generation cost, improved steampiping system information, and improved fuel piping system information,which are pieces of information after implementing the selectedimprovement idea (or the aforementioned improvement measure). Note thatthe improved steam generation cost is the value of the steam generationcost C after implementing the improvement, the improved steam pipingsystem information is the steam piping system information Ja afterimplementing the improvement, and the improved fuel piping systeminformation is the fuel piping system information Jb after implementingthe improvement.

Note that the simulation unit S2 may calculate, based on the improvementmeasure generated by the simulation unit S2, the improved steamgeneration cost, the improved steam piping system information, and theimproved fuel piping system information that are information afterimplementing this improvement measure.

The simulation unit S2 then updates the steam generation cost evaluationinformation Ia1, the steam piping system evaluation information Ia2, andthe fuel piping system evaluation information Ia3 based on the improvedsteam generation cost, the improved steam piping system information, andthe improved fuel piping system information, and displays the updatedinformation Ia1 to Ia3 on the output means S8. Note that the displaybodies in the updated steam piping system evaluation information Ia2 andfuel piping system evaluation information Ia3 may be associated withinformation regarding a comparison between the reference information Jeand the improved steam piping system information and the improved fuelpiping system information, or may be associated with informationregarding a comparison between the pre-improvement steam piping systeminformation Ja and fuel piping system information Jb and the improvedsteam piping system information and fuel piping system information. Inthe case of the former, the running status of the steam utilizationfacility P after implementing the improvement at the time of thereference running can be ascertained. In the case of the latter, effectsachieved by implementing the improvement can be clearly ascertained. Bychecking the effects achieved after the improvement, the improvementmeasure for optimizing the running state of the steam utilizationfacility can be found.

The energy balance evaluation information Ia and the steam deviceevaluation information Ib are associated with each other. Specifically,by selecting any of the display bodies 10 to 34 and 40 to 48 in thesteam piping system image Gb and the fuel piping system image Gc usingthe instruction input unit S7, an image of the steam device evaluationinformation Ib regarding the device corresponding to the selecteddisplay body is displayed. For example, by selecting a display body 23in the steam piping system image Gb in FIG. 9, the device image Gd ofthe first middle/high-pressure turbine 23 and the periphery thereofshown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

Furthermore, the steam device evaluation information Ib is alsoassociated with the drain water discharge evaluation information Ic.Specifically, by selecting, using the instruction input unit S7, adisplay body T, B at a drain water discharge location (the steam trap Tor the valve B) displayed in the image that serves as the steam deviceevaluation information Ib, the drain water discharge location detailinformation Ic2 corresponding to the selected display body T, B isdisplayed.

Thus, the management means S associates three pieces of information (theenergy balance evaluation information Ia, the steam device evaluationinformation Ib, and the drain water discharge evaluation information Ic)from different viewpoints, makes it easy to comprehend the steam systemto achieve visualization, and utilizes the visualization to optimize therunning state of the steam utilization facility.

The management means S can be accessed from the outside by the Internet,and more than one person, such as an administrator in charge of thesteam utilization facility, a person in charge of work, and staff of amanagement company, can monitor and operate the management means Sthrough a personal computer or a mobile terminal.

Next, a description will be given of a method for optimizing the runningstate of the steam utilization facility P using the fluid utilizationfacility management system according to the present disclosure.

Initially, a facility current situation examination for ascertainingbasic information regarding the steam utilization facility P isimplemented for a target steam utilization facility P by a searcher. Inthis facility current situation examination, the searcher performsdiagnosis (so-called survey), such as actually diagnosing the devices(the steam generation devices Gs, the steam utilization devices Us, thefuel generation devices Gf, the fuel utilization devices Uf, peripheraldevices thereof, various pipes, the steam traps T, the valve B, etc.)using a diagnostic tool or the like, or predicting a degradation statefrom a design drawing or the like. Then, the aforementioned referenceinformation Je to be stored in the storage unit S6 is created based onthis facility current situation examination.

As for the information to be examined, specifications and the state ofthe devices (the steam generation devices Gs, the steam utilizationdevices Us, the fuel generation devices Gf, the fuel utilization devicesGf, peripheral devices thereof, various pipes etc.), as well as the typeand price of the fuel used by the steam generation devices Gs areexamined. In particular, regarding the drain water discharge locations(the steam traps T, the valves B etc.), the presence of any problem inthe piping layout at the drain water discharge locations, the state ofthe steam traps T, the consistency of the model in the installationplaces, the normality of the valves B in the periphery of the steamtraps T, and the like are comprehensively examined, and the examinationresult is stored as the drain water discharge database Db in the storageunit S6 in the management means S.

In the examination, in order to remotely monitor the state of the steamutilization facility P, various detectors D are installed on the devicessuch as the steam traps T and the valves B as appropriate, whennecessary, at locations that particularly need to be monitored.

After performing the examination and installing the detectors D asdescribed above, the steam utilization facility P is managed using themanagement means S. The management means S constantly or regularlyacquires various kinds of information transmitted from the detectors D(or various kinds of information collected by an inspector) to the datainput unit S1, and generates the energy balance evaluation informationIa, the steam device evaluation information Ib, and the drain waterdischarge evaluation information Ic using the simulation unit S2 and themonitoring unit S3 in the management means S, based on the acquiredinformation. The administrator in charge of the steam utilizationfacility P (or a person in charge in an external management company)causes the output means S8 to display desired evaluation information Iato Ic through selection processing performed by using the instructioninput unit S7, ascertains the running state of the steam utilizationfacility P, and optimizes the running state of the steam utilizationfacility P based on the running state.

For example, by displaying a chronological change in the steamgeneration cost C using the steam generation cost evaluation informationIa1 in the energy balance evaluation information Ia, the running statusof the complex steam utilization facility P can be accuratelyascertained and evaluated in terms of the steam generation cost C thatis a single reference value. Also, with the steam generation costevaluation information Ia1, it can be immediately understood whether thesteam utilization facility P needs to be improved and whether the steamutilization facility P is running adequately, for example. If it isindicated that improvement is necessary or that the steam utilizationfacility P is running adequately, a factor in the necessity forimprovement or a factor in the adequateness of the running can beestimated by referencing the steam balance, the balance between heat andelectric power, and the fuel balance in the steam utilization facility Pfrom the steam piping system evaluation information Ia2 and the fuelpiping system evaluation information Ia3. Furthermore, a location thatneeds to be improved and a cause thereof can be specified by referencingthe operating states at respective locations in the steam utilizationfacility P using the operating state determination information Ib1 inthe steam device evaluation information Ib and the operating statedetermination information Ic1 in the drain water discharge evaluationinformation Ic. Furthermore, a specific improvement measure can bethought out by referencing the history information and the workinstruction information using the device detail information Ib2 in thesteam device evaluation information Ib and the drain water dischargelocation detail information Ic2 in the drain water discharge evaluationinformation Ic.

Furthermore, effects achieved by the improvement can be checked byselecting a desired improvement idea in the improvement idea image Ggshown in FIG. 14 using the instruction input unit S7 based on thethought improvement measure and the improvement measure indicated by thesteam generation cost evaluation information Ia1.

By combining the steam piping system evaluation information Ia2 and thefuel piping system evaluation information Ia3 with the steam deviceevaluation information Ib, it can be ascertained as to whether theoperating state and the model of a certain device and the amount ofsteam that is actually used or generated by this device or the amount offuel gas used thereby are appropriate, which lead to review of the modelof this device and the amount of steam used or generated by the deviceor the amount of fuel gas used thereby.

Thus, with the fluid utilization facility management system, it ispossible to ascertain the steam generation cost C, the amount of steam,and the amount of fuel, i.e. the energy balance in the overall steamutilization facility P such as the steam balance, the balance betweenheat and electric power, and the running cost in the steam utilizationfacility P, as well as the device state in the steam utilizationfacility P, and the drain water discharging state in the steamutilization facility P. That is to say, the steam utilization facility Pcan be comprehensively ascertained from three viewpoints that are theenergy balance, the device state, and the drain water discharging state.Thus, points to be improved in the steam utilization facility P can befound out to find an optimal state, and the optimization of the runningstate of the steam utilization facility P can be achieved.

Note that the usage of various kinds of evaluation information Ia to Icis not limited to the above usage.

Note that the above fluid utilization facility management system isapplicable to not only the steam utilization facility P but also generalfluid utilization facilities. In this case, in the above embodiment, theterms may be replaced with other appropriate terms. For example, “steam”may be replaced with various “fluids”, and “steam trap” may be replacedwith “drain trap”.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The fluid utilization facility management method and the fluidutilization facility management system according to the presentdisclosure are applicable to the evaluation of various steam utilizationfacilities in various fields.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   S Fluid utilization facility management system    -   S1 Data input unit    -   S2 Simulation unit    -   S3 Monitoring unit    -   1, P Fluid utilization facility (steam utilization facility)    -   2, Us Fluid utilization device (steam utilization device)    -   3, T Drain trap (steam trap)    -   4, B Valve    -   D Detector    -   15, 22 Generator (first turbine generator and second turbine        generator)    -   42 to 45 Fuel device (combustion furnace)    -   Db Drain water discharge database

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fluid utilization facility managementmethod comprising: creating a drain water discharge database including apiping layout of pipes on which drain traps and valves in a fluidutilization facility are arranged and locations of the drain traps andthe valves on the pipes; monitoring an operating state of each of afluid utilization device, the drain trap, and the valve in the fluidutilization facility based on detection information from detectorsinstalled in various places in the fluid utilization facility;optimizing a running state, of the fluid utilization facility based onthis monitoring result and the drain water discharge databasecalculating an energy balance in the fluid utilization facility, andoptimizing the running state of the fluid utilization facility based onthe energy balance calculation result, the monitoring result, and thedrain water discharge database; wherein the fluid utilization facilityis a steam utilization facility that uses steam as a fluid, wherein asteam utilization device that is the fluid utilization device in thesteam utilization facility includes a fuel device that refines fuel thatis also used for steam generation, and wherein the energy balanceincludes a fuel balance calculated based on an amount of fuel refined bythe fuel device and an amount of fuel used for steam generation.
 2. Thefluid utilization facility management method according to claim 1,further comprising: making a trial calculation of an economic effect oran environmental effect achieved in a case of optimizing the runningstate of the fluid utilization facility from a current state.
 3. Thefluid utilization facility management method according to claim 1,wherein the energy balance includes a steam balance calculated based ona steam use status of the steam utilization facility.
 4. The fluidutilization facility management method according to claim 1, wherein thesteam utilization device that is the fluid utilization device in thesteam utilization facility includes a generator that generates electricpower using steam, and wherein the energy balance includes a balancebetween heat and electric power calculated based on a total amount ofgenerated steam and an amount of electric power generated by thegenerator in the steam utilization facility.
 5. The fluid utilizationfacility management method according to claim 1, wherein the energybalance calculation result includes comparison information regarding acomparison between the calculated energy balance and a past energybalance or a reference energy balance.
 6. The fluid utilization facilitymanagement method according to claim 1, further comprising: accumulatingand storing the monitoring result of the operating states of at leastthe drain traps and the valves; creating history information of theoperating states of the drain traps and the valves; and optimizing therunning state of the fluid utilization facility further based on thehistory information.
 7. The fluid utilization facility management methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the drain water discharge database furtherincludes the operating states of the drain traps and the valves; andwherein the drain water discharge database is updated based on themonitoring result.
 8. The fluid utilization facility management methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the drain water discharge database furtherincludes models of the drain traps and the valves.
 9. A fluidutilization facility management system for implementing the fluidutilization facility management method according to any one of claims 1,2-4 and 5-8, the system comprising: detectors and a management meansarranged in various places in the fluid utilization facility, whereinthe management means includes: a monitoring unit for monitoring anoperating state of each of the fluid utilization device, the drain trap,and the valve in the fluid utilization facility based on the detectioninformation from the detectors, and a storing unit for storing the drainwater discharge database including a piping layout of pipes on which thedrain traps and the valves are arranged and locations of the drain trapsand the valves on the pipes in the fluid utilization facility.
 10. Thefluid utilization facility management system according to claim 9,wherein the management means further includes a simulation unit forsimulating the energy balance in the fluid utilization facility.
 11. Thefluid utilization facility management system according to claim 9,wherein the storing unit accumulates and stores the monitoring resultsof the operating states of at least the drain traps and the valves; andthe monitoring unit creates a history information of the operating stateof at least the drain traps and the valves.
 12. The fluid utilizationfacility management system according to claim 9, wherein the drain waterdischarge database further includes the operating states of the draintraps and the valves; and the drain water discharge database is updatedbased on the monitoring result.
 13. The fluid utilization facilitymanagement system according to claim 9, wherein the drain waterdischarge database further includes models of the drain traps and thevalves.